Grand Teton National Park is my personal favorite national park. Numerous factors add to this preference, from the iconic Teton Mountains, to the immense preserved valley of Jackson Hole, to the stunning and epic hiking trails, to the remarkable wildlife, symbolized by the queen herself, Grizzly Bear #399. A plethora of overlooks along Highway 89 and the Teton Park Road give casual sightseers more than they could ask for, while the wildlife that calls this area home is frequently spotted along both roads, as well as the Moose-Wilson Road, Antelope Flats, and the northern reaches of the park, such as the now-famous, Pilgrim Creek. High in the mountains, every canyon beckons hikers to ascend to higher elevations, with the Teton Crest Trail crowning many of the canyons and remaining one of the must-do hikes of the United States. No matter where you look, Grand Teton National Park has no shortage of outdoor entertainment and recreation opportunities.
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685 imagesAntelope Flats makes up a significant chunk of the preserved valley, a vast expanse of sagebrush stretching from the Gros Ventre River, north to the Snake River Overlook. Interrupted only by Blacktail Butte, the immense open flats are a haven for quite a bit of wildlife, including elk, bison, moose, and especially the threatened sage grouse. With dramatic wildflower blooms each spring, the area is also home to the world-famous Moulton Barns, the two most photographed barns in the world. It's also a favorite destination for stargazing, thanks to its endless horizons and minimal light pollution.
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332 imagesHighway 89 is the artery that runs through Grand Teton National Park. From the southern boundary along the National Elk Refuge, to the northern reaches of the park, the highway connects travelers from the town of Jackson to Yellowstone National Park. For the sake of this gallery, what's included here is from the southern boundary to the Moran Junction, as well as side roads and scenic pullouts along the way. Even so, the route is packed with unending landscape and wildlife opportunities, such as Schwabacher Landing, the Snake River Overlook, Elk Ranch, and many more.
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1792 imagesWith nearly 300 miles of maintained trails in Grand Teton National Park, the mountains call hikers from all over the world to come explore the crevices and peaks that make up the heart of theTeton Mountains. With such dramatic canyons as Death, Cascade, Paintbrush, and others, the scenery could keep anyone entertained for an entire summer, and then some. Likewise, glacial lakes such as Taggart, Jenny, Delta, Amphitheater, and so many more offer a serenity that's hard to reproduce anywhere else. Even the peaks get their fare share of hikers and climbers, depending on the difficulty. And with the Teton Crest Trail cutting through the core of the Teton Mountains, it's no wonder so many people seek out the Tetons for their hiking fix.
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145 imagesMoose-Wilson Road is a quiet and intimate exploration through the base of the Teton Mountains. Allowing hikers access to the stunning Phelps Lake, the road frequently passes through thick evergreen forests and riparian wetlands, offering unmatched wildlife sightings. While moose and elk are routinely sighted in the spring months, the ripening berries in the fall bring with it bear sightings that surprise and delight people from all over. The quiet winding corridor also connects Moose to towns outside of the park, such as Teton Village and Wilson.
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191 imagesThe northern areas of Grand Teton National Park don't typically attract much attention on their own, unless of course there are famous grizzly bears wandering around. Though the corridor is mostly a direct route to Yellowstone National Park, many will scour the landscapes for bears coming out of hibernation, such as the world famous, Grizzly #399, as well as her daughter #610. Even more unrelated bears, such as, Blondie, have attracted their share of attention through the years as well, creating one of the richest environments to encounter wild grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Though it's not the locations that most seek out, the northern part of the park also offers stunning fall colors and countless other wildlife opportunities for those that are willing to look for them.
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266 imagesFew scenes are as iconic as Oxbow Bend. Dominated by Mount Moran, the serene bend in the Snake River calmly reflects the picturesque peak as it towers above. Especially attractive during the fall season as all the surrounding aspen trees are changing, the scene attracts both professional and amateur photographers from all around to capture their take on the highly sought-after landscape. With the picturesque break in the forests stretching into northern Willow Flats, this gallery includes varying scenes and wildlife that extend there that wasn't shot along the Teton Park Road.
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215 imagesThe Teton Park Road runs parallel to Highway 89, but much closer to the base of the Teton Mountains. Stretching from the town of Moose and north to the Jackson Lake Dam Junction, the road provides access to scenic spur roads, as well as a large number of trailheads to access the trails in the mountains. Popular trailheads such as String Lake, Leigh Lake, Lupine Meadows, Jenny Lake, and Taggart Lake can all be found along the road, with even more smaller and less traveled trails available along the way for exploration as well. Both the Signal Mountain Summit Road and the old RKO Road are also accessed from the Teton Park Road, allowing scenic detours for those with more time to explore. The road also passes the popular Jackson Lake Dam, a frequent spot for bears while the snow's still melting, as well as for people putting in non-motorized boats to float down the Snake River, or even just try their luck at fishing. Whatever the situation, the Teton Park Road is a vital corridor for virtually anyone visiting Grand Teton National Park.